Loleta Community Celebration

Swauger’s Station days originally began with the Dairymen’s picnic, an annual community event where music, dancing, children’s games and plenty to eat brought the entire community together. The last Dairymen’s picnic was held in the 1920s and Swauger’s Station day evolved in its place.  The day’s activities included live music and entertainment, a barbecue, Indian tacos, children’s games, demonstrations, displays, exhibits, antique cars, a marketplace, local food tasting and all around family fun. This event is now known as "Loleta Community Celebration", and is held in the community park, next to Main St.

History: In 1884 Eel river and Eureka railroads built Swauger’s Station (now Loleta). In 1898 a larger depot was constructed and as Swauger’s Station had been the name of the old depot, the new station was named Loleta. The community was apparently not satisfied with the name Swauger’s and adopted the place name that Wiyot people had always used. Loleta a Wiyot word meant “pleasant place at the end of the water.” No other word could better describe the township of Loleta.